By Ahmed Al-Hilali
Makkah
FINALLY an entity for entertainment was formed. We were extremely happy when the General Authority for Entertainment was born in April 2016. Now on Saudis will not need to travel abroad to have entertainment and relaxation after tedious work days.
They also need not skip their duties on working days to enjoy the weekend in a neighboring Gulf country or go to cinemas, which do not exist in their country.
However, my happiness did not last long after knowing that the authority lacked a clear vision and plan. We have been expecting some beautiful things from this organization.
The first spark of frustration was caused by the authority’s negative stand on cinema. The authority’s calendar of events was also not very impressive as it gave me the feeling that it’s just an organizer like the municipality and mayoralty, nothing more.
Another thing that disappointed me was the authority's desire to import entertainment as if modernity required importing of ideas from abroad.
It seems that the authority is making slow steps to achieve its goals. It looks hesitant and shy away from taking crucial decisions. The organization’s website is still not ready.
The authority’s vision statement is unclear and it does not include its message and objectives. People like me wanted to see it as a well-organized body.
It should be issuing licenses and permissions for businessmen and young entrepreneurs to start entertainment projects on the basis of a clear strategy and specific laws taking into consideration the Kingdom’s entertainment requirements.
Of course it would start following programs of world-class standard, having contemporary thoughts and ideas and should address all segments of society. The holding of a program in Jeddah, another in Riyadh and a third in Dammam does not mean the authority has done something worthwhile.
I am looking forward to the authority’s determination to issue licenses for building world-class institutes of art that will accommodate Saudis and expats having creative ideas to develop their skills in order to strengthen the Kingdom’s entertainment industry.
The authority should establish partnerships with universities and other educational institutions to support academic projects at student deanships or community colleges and establish departments for entertainment and creativity in the Kingdom’s colleges.
We don’t need to host international teams in every event and we don’t need to import entertainment from abroad. Our major challenge should be to produce our own quality entertainment. We should be able to export them in order highlight our identity and creativity.
Foreign television channels often compete with one another to show YouTube video clips produced by Saudis. We have also seen our stage programs taking the center stage at Arab cultural events.
We have to make greater efforts in this field in order to show the world that we have our own entertainment programs thanks to the creativity of our young men and women.
